Turning up the volume

MATT ALVAREZ IS A MAN of few words — by design and choice. A long time ago, Alvarez figured he’d let his actions do his talking, calculating that they would speak louder than words.

He figured right.

If you were to wager on his future, you’d likely bet he won’t be on the speaker’s tour.

Whatever’s left in the pot, put it down on a future in baseball.

Alvarez, a senior first baseman who put up numbers that speak volumes, is the Tribune’s Athlete of the Year in baseball.

Except, you wouldn’t know it by talking to him.

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“He doesn’t say two words — that’s how quiet he is,” said Northridge head coach Mike Huston, who guided Alvarez to the best season of his career that included a .511 batting average, a dozen doubles, nine home runs and 36 RBI.

Alvarez, who plans to play baseball at Northeastern Junior College in an effort to secure a Division I scholarship, led the Grizzlies to the Class 4A semifinals this season.

“He’s a perfect example of somebody who leads by example,” Huston added. “Not too many people know that he played the entire spring season with a hamstring problem. His average probably would have been even higher had he been healthy.”

Alvarez doesn’t lack for confidence, and he knows when to turn it on and turn it off.

“I’m just quiet,” he muttered. “I always have been. I’m not the guy who’s always going to be talking.”

Northridge teammate Travis Roth explained Alvarez is a player with two faces — “smiling or blank.

“You can pretty much tell what he’s thinking just by looking at him,” Roth said. “If he’s smiling, he’s happy. If his face is blank, he’s more focused. He hardly says much.”

Alvarez would prefer to take extra infield, stay in the batting cage until his hands can’t take it anymore, or develop a strategy to the game than to run up the phone bill like most teenagers.

Things you wouldn’t know about the Grizzlies’ standout unless you force him to open up:

* ON TEAMMATES: “They’re great guys. Actually, I feel like I’m always talking to them, especially on the field.”

* A GOOD TIME: “The last good time I had was playing in the state tournament this year. That’s probably the most fun I’ve had. I enjoy playing baseball, especially if I’m playing good.”

* GIRLS: “Hmmm. I haven’t had a girlfriend for more than a year. I see most of my friends who are serious about their girlfriends, and I think that it can sometimes be a hassle.”

* ABOUT MUSIC: “I’m pretty much a classic rock guy. I like the Eagles, Led Zeppelin.”

* FAVORITE CLOTHES: “A pair of jeans and a plain shirt. I wear a lot of T-shirts.”

In a world of Doc Martin’s, Alvarez is like a pair of Wingtips.

The furthest he’s crossed the line came this spring when he decided to attach elastic to his uniform pants so they’d stay down around his shoes.

Wristbands or headbands? “Nope,” Alvarez said. “I don’t wear ’em.”

Durability, dedication and desire are three of the most important morals he possesses.

“Sometimes, I wish I knew what he was thinking,” Huston said. “You know he’s thinking about baseball all the time, but he’s the kind of kid who really minds his own business and gets the job done.”

Huston counted on Alvarez’s production for two seasons, knowing all too well he’d receive 100-percent production from the quietest player he’s ever coached.

“You don’t have to worry about him being on time or giving you all he has,” Huston said. “He gives you more than he actually has.

“Try to get him to talk a lot and you can forget it, though. I always ask him how he’s doing, and the answer is always the same, ‘I’m OK.’ That’s Matt.”

Alvarez’s success is no surprise to baseball fans in Weld County. He played competitively as a youngster with many of his current Northridge and GoJo Sports Legion A teammates before moving to Colorado Springs.

“I was in Colorado Springs for the first semester of my freshman year, then we moved back to Greeley, and I went to Greeley Central, and then to Northridge,” he said. “Sometime last year, I decided that I just wanted to concentrate on baseball. Baseball is what I do.”

“Basketball wasn’t fun for me anymore, so I put everything I had into baseball.”

Asked what makes Alvarez special and Huston doesn’t hesitate to answer, “he can swing it.

“He really let his confidence take over when he played with our GoJo team last summer, and it just carried over to this spring.

“He just doesn’t say much, but by the way he plays, you know he’s around.”

* ACCOMPLISHMENTS: All-Tri-Valley Conference; pitcher; 6-2, 1.66 ERA; gave up just 13 hits in 54 2/3 innings of work; Opponents hit just .162 against him; also is the quarterback for the Spartans’ football team.